Park Avenue Plastic Surgery Class

When Allure greenlit a 1991 story on whether cosmetic surgeons talk people into procedures they don't need, the reporter who took it signed up for a facelift mid-assignment — and built a 25-year career off the result. Joan Kron joins Dr. Bass for a long conversation about what plastic surgery looked like before liposuction, before Botox, before fillers were anything more than collagen. Her early A...

Almost everyone heading into face lift surgery worries about the line in front of the ear. But the cuts everywhere else around it are arguably more challenging. Dr. Bass and Dr. Kylie Edinger walk through every cut made during a facelift — from the sideburn and hairline above the ear, down through or in front of the tragus, around the earlobe, behind the ear, and back into the hairline of the neck...

The aesthetics marketplace moves billions of dollars a year and is built to sell, which makes a clear, unhurried head your strongest asset. Across the ten episodes of the Beauty Series, Dr. Lawrence Bass curates a guide to navigating cosmetic treatments, and this final installment is a reflection on the most important takeaways: A steady relationship with one provider beats scattered, one-off Boto...

Aesthetic medicine moves billions of dollars a year, which means the loudest takes on injectable cosmetics — pro or con — usually come from someone with something to sell. Dr. Lawrence Bass walks through six widely-circulated claims about fillers — that they look puffy and unnatural, that they can be repeated as often as you want, that they only suit younger faces, that they lift sagging tissue, t...

The timeline after a facelift matters just as much as the procedure itself. Dr. Bass and Dr. Kylie Edinger walk through what to expect at each phase of recovery and how the right habits can make all the difference. They explain how to manage swelling, protect your incisions, and ease back into normal activity, and share the small mistakes that can slow healing or lead to complications. Get practic...

Most people think better skin comes from doing more, but the biggest impact comes from doing a few things consistently.  Dr. Lawrence Bass and clinical dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Vickers share the essentials that actually move the needle, from daily sunscreen to simple, effective skincare. They cover what matters most for maintaining skin quality, where office treatments fit in, and why a straight...

There's no shortage of plastic surgery advice online, but not all of it is rooted in fact.  Dr. Lawrence Bass introduces his "Facts and Fallacies" series designed to help you separate what's true from what just sounds convincing. He explains why misinformation spreads so easily, from attention-driven media to the complexity of medical topics, and decodes the difference between evidence-based facts...

Most people focus on the facelift itself, but the real work starts long before surgery day. Dr. Lawrence Bass and Dr. Kylie Edinger talk about why the weeks leading up to a facelift can shape everything from safety to final results. They explain the behind-the-scenes prep plastic surgeons care about most, including medical clearance, blood pressure control, medications and supplements to pause, an...

Sometimes you don't need a full makeover, but rather just a smart tweak. Dr. Bass introduces the idea of "beauty tweakments," the small, low-downtime treatments designed to quietly keep aging in check without dramatic change.  He explains how tweakments fit into a bigger beauty plan, depending on your stage of aging, what you've already done, and what stands out most right now.  From Botox and lig...

What happens when the physician who helped introduce Botox to the world reflects on how far aesthetics has come? Dr. Jean Carruthers shares the unexpected moment that changed everything, and why it still shapes how she thinks about facial rejuvenation today. She talks through the early days of skepticism, how botulinum toxin A evolved from treating frown lines to influencing everything from jawlin...

A great facelift starts long before the day of surgery. It begins in the consultation room. Dr. Lawrence Bass and Dr. Kylie Edinger explain what a thoughtful consultation really looks like, from the questions that help surgeons understand your goals to the conversations that reveal whether your aesthetic vision aligns with theirs. They break down what happens during an exam, why photographs matter...

In light of the FDA's October 2025 warning about RF microneedling, Dr. Bass explains what it actually means for anyone considering the treatment. He explains that RF microneedling isn't your average facial, but rather a medical procedure that uses tiny needles to deliver radiofrequency energy beneath the skin. Done incorrectly, it can cause complications like burns, scarring, or nerve damage. The...

Trends may keep fashion fresh, but in beauty, they can blur the line between timeless and temporary. Dr. Bass explains how beauty trends start—often with influencers, media cycles, and celebrity culture—and why chasing them can lead to results that age poorly or feel inauthentic. While makeup and hairstyles are easy to change, surgery isn't, and following what's "in" one year can leave you regrett...

Plastic surgery isn't one-size-fits-all, and Dr. Lawrence Bass wants to keep it that way. As aesthetic care becomes more mainstream, there's a growing risk of "fast-food" beauty—standardized treatments that ignore individual features and cultural nuances. Dr. Bass explains how the field has evolved from cookie-cutter results to true customization, driven by better techniques and a broader understa...

Dr. Lawrence Bass and Dr. Kylie Edinger team up to unpack the truth behind one of plastic surgery's most misunderstood procedures: the facelift. Can it really erase decades of aging, or give you features you never had? Find out what it can (and can't) do. They also tackle the biggest myths about scars, recovery, and non-surgical alternatives like fillers and threads. Is a scarless facelift real? H...

Dr. Bass introduces the idea of a "beauty thermostat"—your personal comfort level with change. Some people have a high-sensitivity thermostat, noticing every small shift and wanting to act quickly. Others have a low-sensitivity one, waiting until changes are much more visible before taking action. Neither approach is wrong. It's about self-awareness and balance. Those who act early may need smalle...

Dr. Lawrence Bass honors the late Dr. Sam Hamra, a true pioneer in facelift surgery whose innovations forever changed the field. He reflects on Dr. Hamra's path from Oklahoma to NYU to Dallas, where his curiosity and analytical mind led him to challenge traditional facelift methods and develop the revolutionary deep plane and composite techniques. Dr. Hamra's work went beyond aesthetics. It was ab...

A facelift may be the star of the show, but it's rarely a solo act. Dr. Lawrence Bass and Dr. Kylie Edinger break down the "facelift friends" — the add-on procedures and treatments that enhance results, restore balance, and address areas the lift alone can't fix.  The key is harmony. A lifted mid and lower face can still look "off" if the eyes, brows, skin, or lips tell a different age story.  By...

Your "beauty lens" is the way you focus on the features that truly matter to you—not your surgeon, not your friends, not Instagram. Dr. Bass explains why zeroing in on the concerns that consistently bother you (the ones you notice in the mirror every day, not just in a random selfie) leads to better results and greater satisfaction. He shares how to use your surgeon as a reality check, when to tac...

Looking your best isn't just about quick fixes—it's about a plan that lasts, not just one round of correction but a sequence of just the right things. Dr. Bass shares his "infinity plan," starting with the essentials: fundamental products like sunscreen and skincare, and universally effective treatments such as neuromodulators and fillers. He also spotlights the long-lasting game changers, from ey...

Worried about getting a facelift? You're not alone. From anesthesia and recovery time to scars and "looking like someone else," facelift fears are common, but often based more in myth than reality. Drs. Bass and Edinger break down the most frequent concerns, from medical risks to appearance anxiety, and explain how modern techniques and thoughtful planning keep you safe, natural-looking, and in co...

More people are heading out of town or out of the country for plastic surgery, hoping to save money or access treatments not available locally. But travel comes with trade-offs. Dr. Bass explains why safety, standards, and follow-up care matter just as much as cost. From anesthesia risks to limited legal protections, there's a lot to consider before choosing surgery abroad. Traveling for beauty mi...

Thinking about removing your breast implants? Here is the latest information to know about capsulectomy, the surgery to remove the scar tissue that forms around implants. The latest research and professional society consensus statements inform decisionmaking. Dr. Bass breaks down the four types of capsulectomy and when each one makes sense.. He also explains why the most aggressive option—en bloc...

When we're young, our faces have a smooth, full look thanks to well-defined fat pads and tight connective tissue. But as we age, those structures start to change, leading to sags, bags and changes in facial shape. Facial aging doesn't happen all at once. It's a gradual process that starts as early as your 20s. At first, the face can look more sculpted and angular, but over time, fat volume loss, ...

Your beauty plan should be tailored to you—your goals, your timeline, and what you're comfortable with when it comes to recovery and results.  Dr. Bass explains his idea of "right-sized beauty planning" and why having a personalized approach makes all the difference in plastic surgery. Whether you're looking to address one specific feature, maintain your look over the next year, or map out a long-...